Sunfire #11: Emily

I have read many of the Sunfire Romances, and Emily is one of the best. As well as providing a detailed insight into the lives of the Fifth Avenue millionaires at the turn of the twentieth century, this book explores deeper themes within this context, such as the upper class reliance on tradition, and how one girl breaks away from accepted standards to follow her heart. Emily falls in love with Stephen, a medical student from the Lower East Side, and decides to work in a hospital to be near him, but she soon discovers that there is meaning in life when one is helping others. All the while, she is battling her conservative parents and being compared to her beautiful, radiant cousin Annabelle, a "credit to the Blackburn family." This book is truly enjoyable...a delightful read and an enthralling history lesson!

Emily was my favorite book as a child. It taught me a lot about the history of women in medicine and since it describes the dawn of the 20th century, it is especially relevant now, as we face the dawn of the 21st century.Emily is a love story. A young debutante falls in love with a poor medical student and, at the same time, with the world of medicine. Much to her family's shock and horror, she begins to work at a hospital as a nurses assistant.The story is delightfully readably, and yet it discusses complex themes such as romance between people of different class backgrounds, the role of women in medicine, coming of age, confilcts with one's parents and with one's social background, discovering one's professional calling in life and following it in spite of obstacles and falling in love for the first time.The Sunfire series was a wonderfull series. It gave me an overview of history that helped me later in school. Even as an adult, I still think back on the Sunfire series as a valuable influence. They give an honest, subtly feminist perspective. Educational without being dull -- historical but still modern and easy to relate to. Someone should bring them back!

Emily is a millionaire who falls in love with a medical student. He inspires her to become a nurse but her hopes are dashed when her parents return from Europe and threaten to send her to Boarding School. Emily tries to go to the hospital but is caught every time. Can Emily seek the career of her choice and can the man she loves love her? Bring back the Sunfire Romances!!!

Emily is a spirited young society girl in turn of the century New York. She is not just another "society girl." She volunteers to become a nurse..then falls in love with a handsome but poor young doctor. If Emily continues on this path, her family will shun her. Yet how can she just forget her love?

The Sunfire Romance series which included this book was truly some of the best young adult romance writing I've ever read. Emily was a wonderful story which chronicled the determination of a young women of wealth aspiring to use her talents in the medical field when such a thing wasn't deemed "proper" in her society. Despite the disapproval from her family, Emily follows her heart to the man she loves and the occupation she has chosen for herself. A wonderful story!!! I highly recommend! Bring back the Sunfire Romances!!